vision plan report - marin county...b. vision plan purpose, methods of analysis & report...

COUNTY OF MARIN

FIRE FACILITIES VISION PLAN

Prepared in collaboration with:

County of Marin Administrator’s Office

County of Marin Fire Department

County of Marin Public Works Department

Prepare by Beverly Prior Architects

Mary McGrath, Project Director

Frederick Hormann, Designer

Final Report

October 4, 2010

COUNTY OF MARIN FIRE FACILITIES VISION PLAN

BEVERLY PRIOR ARCHITECTS BEVERLY PRIOR ARCHITECTS

TABLE OF CONTENTS I. VISION PLAN REPORT (VOLUME I) A. Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 1 B. Vision Plan Purpose, Methods of Analysis & Report Organization ............................................. 3 C. Marin County Fire Facilities and Fire Operations ...................................................................... 5 D. Existing Facility Findings ........................................................................................................... 12 E. Space Needs Summary and Site Arrangements ...................................................................... 24 F. Vision Plan Implementation Cost Summary .............................................................................. 46 G. Final Project Priority Rankings – Phased Projects ................................................................... 48 APPENDIX List of Referenced Documents ....................................................................................................... 51 Comparative Analysis Reference ................................................................................................... 52

II. DETAILED FACILTY STUDY – WOODACE HEADQUARTERS (VOLUME II) Marin County Fire Department Headquarters and Fire Station at Woodacre (Headquarters) Detailed Facility Study

1. Fire Facility Space Needs Standards and Site Requirements 2. Budget Detail

a. Conceptual Equipment Budgets b. Facility Design Budget c. Overall Conceptual Project Budget

Appendix - Cost Estimates - Existing Facility Engineering Reports - List of Reference Documents

III. DETAILED FACILTY STUDY – FIRE STATION FACILITIES (VOLUME III) Hicks Valley Fire Station / Tamalpais Fire Crew Detailed Facility Study



Appendix - Cost Estimates - Existing Facility Engineering Reports - List of Reference Documents



- Meeting Minutes

Point Reyes Fire Station Detailed Facility Study



Appendix - Cost Estimates - Existing Facility Engineering Reports - List of Reference Documents Tomales Fire Station Detailed Facility Study



Appendix - Cost Estimates - Existing Facility Engineering Reports - List of Reference Documents Mt. Barnabe & Mt. Tamalpais Fire Lookouts (Data from Dept. of Public Works)


October 4, 2010 | 1


Vision Plan Report – Volume I

A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The purpose of this document is to provide policy makers with the Fire Department’s long-term vision

for their facilities. This planning tool is meant to help prioritize and inform future capital improvement

decisions. Given current fiscal conditions, many of these improvements will not be funded in the

short term; nonetheless, it is important that policy makers are aware of them for long-term capital

planning purposes.

This plan was a collaborative team effort with members of the County Administrative Office, Marin

County Fire Department, Marin County Department of Public Works and Beverly Prior Architects.

The MCFD Headquarters and Fire Station at Woodacre (Headquarters), Hicks Valley Fire Station,

Tomales Fire Station, Pt. Reyes Public Safety Building, both Fire Lookouts and a new Tamalpais Fire

Crew facility were the subjects of this study. Marin City and Throckmorton Fire Stations were not

studied, as they are facilities constructed within the last 10 years.

A summary of key findings are as follows:

The Headquarters and the Fire Station at Woodacre, the Tomales Fire Station, and Hicks

Valley Fire Station are past their useful life and are recommended to be replaced.

The Headquarters including the administration/emergency command center, fire station

No. 1, vehicle maintenance and warehouse facilities are recommended to be relocated to

a larger site and centrally located within the Marin County service area.

The Hick Valley Fire Station is recommended to be relocated to a larger site near its

current location.

Tomales Fire Station is recommended to be replaced on its existing site.

Point Reyes Fire Station is recommended to be seismically upgraded, expanded and a

new building added to the site to house the sheriff operations and a community meeting

room.

Subject to securing on-going funding for services, a future Tamalpais Fire Crew Facility

was studied and is recommended to be co-located with one of the existing fire stations if

there is enough land. This report has it co-located with Hicks Valley Fire Station and this

proposal is subject to land availability and cost verification.

A strategy for construction phasing is possible for the Headquarters, Hicks Valley and

Tomales facilities.


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FINAL PROJECT PRIORITY RANKINGS – PHASED PROJECTS

Priority Facility Description

A

Headquarters Administration, Emergency Command Center/Dispatch - Phase 1

Secure funding; develop master plan, community outreach and entitlements. Phase 1 construction documents and construction of new facility.

A Headquarters Fire Station Replacement - Phase 2

Construction documents and construction of new facility.

A Hicks Valley Fire Station Replacement – Phase 1

Secure funding; develop master plan, community outreach and entitlements. Phase 1 construction documents and construction.

B Headquarters Maintenance Building & Warehouse - Phase 3


B Point Reyes Renovation & Addition

Choose development option, secure funding, community outreach, entitlement, construction documents and construction.

C Headquarters Training Tower - Phase 4


C Hicks Valley Fire Crew – Phase 2 (subject to Program funding being in place)

Construction Documents and Construct Fire Crew Facility at Hicks Valley site.

C Tomales FS Station Replacement – Phase 1

Replace fire station on existing site planning for future training tower

C Mt. Tamalpais Fire Lookout Perform maintenance repairs

C Mt. Barnabe Fire Lookout Perform maintenance repairs and technical upgrades

C Hick Valley Training Tower – Phase 3

Add Training tower at Hicks Valley site

C Tomales Training Tower – Phase 2

Add Training Tower at Tomales site

Cost Estimate

The cost estimate for the Vision Plan improvements is between $57M and $68M. This range was

established using two contrasting budgeting methods. One evaluated each proposed improvement

on a cost per square foot basis based on recent project types and a second method using a

quantitative unit take-off basis was used as a check to the cost per square foot budget. The cost

estimates are based on today’s dollars and will require evaluation based on escalation factors as each project moves forward.

Schedule and Priorities

A qualitative and quantitative ranking was used to rank the facility needs of the Fire Department

similar to county facility rankings in the Capital Improvement Program, although these rankings were

not completed under that County-led procedure. This process identified the Administration /

Emergency Command Center, currently co-located in Woodacre with a station and preferred by the

Fire Administration to remain in that general area, as the most critical replacement project as there

are no other redundant resources within the County that can command a major fire operation and

meet the CalFire contract requirements for wildland fire response. Importance factors, redundant

operations and call volumes were factors used in the priorities set above.


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B. VISION PLAN PURPOSE, METHODS OF ANALYSIS & REPORT ORGANIZATION

Purpose – The Fire Facilities Vision Plan (Plan) will establish a vision for the Marin County Fire

Department’s (MCFD) fire facility needs, current and future. The Plan is based on an assessment of

current resources and facilities, the Department’s operational goals/latest fire suppression strategies;

code/legal requirements balanced with the County’s available resources for funding and schedule

impacts. Beverly Prior Architects (BPA) specifically reviewed MCFD Headquarters and Fire Station,

Hicks Valley Fire Station (FS), Tomales FS, Point Reyes FS and the Tamalpais Fire Crew. In

addition, fire lookout information was provided by the County and incorporated into this report. Marin

City FS and Throckmorton FS were considered too new to be included in this study. At the conclusion

of this report, facility priorities are offered with accompanying detailed explanation and rationales.

Methods of Analysis – Beverly Prior Architects and its consulting engineers, in coordination with

MCFD, CAO and DPW staff, conducted several meetings and site visits to evaluate existing facilities

and to determine current/future fire operation needs and goals. To determine space standards,

comparative analysis was undertaken with other county fire departments similar to Marin’s Fire

Department, the newer Marin City and Throckmorton Fire Stations, and survey material. Then, using

space standards, building codes, NFPA recommendations and the latest industry standards, site

diagrams were produced with accompanying cost estimates. Based on this information, schedule

considerations and the assumption of a 50-year performance lifespan for new facilities, renovation

and replacement alternatives were ranked or prioritized for each reviewed facility. Criteria used for

ranking include:

Removes Reduces Threats to Health & Safety Meets Legal Mandates Maintains Operations & Functions Prevents Major Repair or Replacement Costs Environmentally / Energy Efficient Meets County Goals in reference to the County’s Strategic Plan Large Aesthetic Benefit Large Functional Benefit

Report Organization--The Report is organized with this summary section that addresses the key

elements of the Vision Plan, specifically:

An Overview of Marin County Fire Facilities and Fire Operations Existing Facility Findings Summary of Proposed Facility Space Needs, attributes and site arrangements Vision Plan Implementation Budget summary Priority Rankings

Supplemental information includes:

Comparative Department Survey Analysis Industry Standards Overview and Matrix of Relevancy Station Profiles and Matrix of Compliance with Space Standards Detailed Facility Studies including space needs listings, component diagrams outlining space

standards, site arrangement diagrams and overall project budgets per facility

These documents are within tabbed sections that follow this summary report. Detailed costs estimates, existing facility reports, user work session meeting notes and reference material listings are included in the appendix of the Detailed Facility Studies.


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COUNTY Participants

PROJECT CONSULTANTS

Beverly Prior Architects Cornerstone Engineering – Structural

Mary McGrath, AIA, LEED AP Tom Swayze, Principal Engineer

Frederick Hormann, Assoc. AIA

Thoma Electric – Electrical NJ Fearon and Assoc. – Cost Jimmy Dean, Project Manager Katie Fearon, Principal Quantity Surveyor

Brummel, Myrick and Associates – Mechanical and Plumbing

Larry Myrick, Principal

Marin County Fire Dept. Work Session Participants Leadership Phoenicia Thomas,

Administrative Services Officer

Ken Massucco, Fire Chief Keith Parker, Senior Captain

Rich Lopez, Deputy Fire Chief Tim Thompson, Battalion Chief

Bill Vieira, Senior Captain

County Administrator’s Office Al Rodoni, Heavy Equipment Mechanic David Speer, Facilities Planning & Development Manager Chris Martinelli, Senior Captain

Jeff Wong, Capital Planning & Project Manager Joe Morena, Senior Captain

Tim Walsh, Superintendant

Department of Public Works Graham Groneman, Foreman/Captain Kevin McGowan, Principal Civil Engineer


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C. MARIN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT

MCFD MISSION STATEMENT

“It is the mission of the Marin County Fire Department to provide the highest level of life and property protection services through and aggressive fire control system,

an integrated pre-hospital care system, fire prevention, public education, and emergency management.

To accomplish our mission we will provide suppression and prevention programs, a state of the art pre-hospital care system, and effective scene management. We

will stand ready to support and assist other fire service organizations in accomplishing their missions.

Our employees are important assets in the actualization of our mission. They each play a vital role and carry the responsibility to express our department values in

their daily work.”

The Marin County Fire Department (MCFD) has enjoyed a rich and colorful history. The Tamalpais

Forest Fire Protection District (TFFPD) was created by an act of the State legislature in 1917. A

governing board of trustees was appointed which consisted of one trustee from each municipality and

one trustee appointed by the board of supervisors. Each member served for a term of two years.

Funds necessary for the operation of the District were derived from county taxes, and state and

federal appropriations. At the time of creation, the County tax rate could not exceed ten cents for

every hundred dollars of assessed valuation. Original boundaries of the district can be found in

Senate Bill 555, Chapter 560 of May 21, 1917. In the years to come, the district boundaries were

expanded several times and, eventually, covered over two hundred and fifty seven square miles. At

the time, the district staffing consisted of one fire chief, nine fire wardens, one relief warden, two

lookouts, and one dispatcher.

Until 1921, the fire warden’s method of patrol was by horseback and the tools of the day included

shovels, brush hooks, and axes. The automobile was introduced in 1922 and in 1928 water cans

were placed in service on the warden’s car. In 1935, the district purchased its first fire truck, which

was a one and a half ton truck that carried enough hand tools to outfit a crew of nearly 100

firefighters, water cans, hose and 200 gallons of water.

The Department was created by the Marin County Board of Supervisors in 1941. The basic structure

remained the same as in the TFFPD. The wardens worked 120 hours per week, with many taking the

fire vehicles home in order to be able to respond on a 24 hour, as-needed basis.

Marin’s unincorporated areas of service are mostly rural/suburban terrain with community pockets

spread out throughout the open space areas. According to the California Department of Finance,


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Marin County’s population is roughly 259,000 in 2009. Marin is considered a slow growth population

county.

In 1978 the Department upgraded its basic life support (BLS) transport ambulance to advanced life

support (ALS) paramedics and in 1995 the MCFD entered into a co-operative agreement with the

county’s Department of Public Works to form an Urban Search and Rescue Team (USAR).

Today, the MCFD is an all risk agency that provides a full range of Emergency Medical Services

(EMS), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) resources, water rescue teams, structural fire protection,

wildland fire protection, fire prevention, public education, and hazardous material (Haz-mat)

response. As one of six contract counties with the State of California, the department is responsible

for protection of nearly 200,000 acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA).

The Department provides services to its response area from six stations that provide six Type I

engines (three are Advanced Life Support capable), ten Type III engines, three water tenders, four

Advanced Life Support (ALS) transport units, one medium rescue, two USAR heavy rescue vehicles,

and a variety of chief officer and utility vehicles. The Marin County Fire Department also staffs an

Emergency Command Center (ECC)/Dispatch, which dispatches for the Department, coordinates

wildland incidents within the State Responsibility Area (SRA) or Federal Responsibility Area (FRA),

Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) and acts as the Marin Operational Dispatch Center that coordinates

local resources for out of county missions for California Emergency management Agency (CalEMA).

The MCFD has several contracts/agreements for service, mutual aid and auto aide with different

agencies.

The Department has maintained an independent dispatch center since the 1930’s. The Emergency

Command Center (ECC)/Dispatch functions to receive, disseminate, and transmit information to field

units. The ECC/Dispatch has the additional responsibility to act in a supervisory role for incidents

prior to the arrival of field units. The ECC/Dispatch also acts as the central ordering point for all state

resources that are committed to SRA incidents in Marin County. In addition to the state responsibility

areas, the ECC/Dispatch acts as a central ordering point for OES requests and OES coordination of

local government resources entering or leaving the County of Marin Operation Area.

The ECC/Dispatch is staffed by one 24-hour dispatcher year round. Beginning in the spring each

year, a dispatch clerk is hired to work 10-hour shifts, 7 days a week through the end of fire season.

During complex emergencies the ECC utilizes a call back system to assist in up-staffing or back-filling

for large-scale emergencies and to maintain minimum staffing needs. The ECC/Dispatch processes

nearly 3,000 calls annually, and is also responsible for handling all business calls that come into the

department. In 2005, the ECC/Dispatch was remodeled and upgraded to incorporate a Computer

Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. To order, fill, and track requests for OES and State resources, the

ECC/Dispatch uses a statewide intercom system and the new Resource Ordering Status System

(ROSS). With the introduction of this technology for computerized dispatch systems, the workload

demand on the ECC/Dispatch has increased significantly.


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Existing Fire Facilities The MCFD Headquarters and fire station (Headquarters) was established in Woodacre on an

abandoned Northwestern Pacific Railroad right of way with dispatch, shop and sleeping quarters

added at this location over time. The fire station in Woodacre was rebuilt in 1972 and over the years

existing garage structures have been added and then converted for office and other uses. The day

the new facilities opened in Woodacre in 1972, it was immediately obsolete because staffing was

changed from two platoons to three, increasing staffing by 30%. Currently the Department’s Fire

Marshal and Forester are housed in a portable building on this site and what is now the mechanic’s

shop was originally the building that contained all aspects of the department; the living quarters,

machine shop, mechanic shop and office.

From the date the Department was established and throughout the 1950s fire fighters would respond

from their homes housing the apparatus at home while on duty. Department personnel built the first

fire station in Point Reyes in the late 1950s and then Throckmorton Ridge was built in 1959.

Following Throckmorton, fire stations were then built in Marin City (1972) (850 Drake Avenue). In the

1870’s a building was built at 650 Drake Avenue. Originally used as a blacksmith and stage coast

stop, it was taken over by Marin County Fire in 1960 and used as a station until it was condemned for

public inhabitance in 1970., Hicks Valley (1963) and Tomales (1970). Point Reyes was replaced in

1984. Since the year 2000 the County has replaced two of the original stations; Marin City (2000)

and most recently Throckmorton (2007). Woodacre, Hicks Valley, Point Reyes and Tomales remain

very similar to the original designs with some small renovations and additions. These four facilities,

two fire lookouts, a proposed new fire crew and the Headquarters facility are the focus of this study.

New Developments in Fire Operations There have been several major shifts in fire suppression operations over the last 30 years that

directly affect the operational functionality of the fire stations and the headquarters facility. These

include:

1. The size and weight of fire apparatus has increased greatly since the 1960’s to

accommodate larger pumps, carry larger equipment, additional emission control

standards, and more personnel causing the apparatus bays to be undersized.

2. The introduction and growth of the Emergency Medical Services response within

the fire service requiring specialty apparatus and equipment, decontamination

facilities, specialty storage and additional apparatus bay space. Emergency

Medical Services has become a key component within the fire service. As such, it

is ever changing and growing to accommodate improvements to systems and

operations. A number of outside influences affect the delivery of medical care

within the fire service industry. Mandates from a number of entities have led to

changes in the way the fire department cares for patients and protect our

employees. Among these:


October 4, 2010 | 8


Cal OSHA has enacted regulations that require specialized areas within

fire stations to provide for decontamination of equipment and clothing

State and Local EMS regulations that require the use of new equipment

and supplies requiring additional storage space, training and costs.

Additional requirements for medical education requiring locations for the

storage of training equipment, increased training events on varied

scales, and increased costs for obtaining and maintaining certifications.

Increased need for classroom space to facilitate mandated training.

Increased use of technology in the field requires additional technological

changes and enhancements in our infrastructure at the administrative

and instructional levels

Changes in the design of ambulances that may create a shift in the

current design of apparatus bays.

3. The introduction and growth in the number of female firefighters led to the

development of gender-neutral facilities. For example, restrooms/shower rooms

are now unisex and bedrooms include individual lockers as opposed to central

locker rooms.

4. The recognition that health and safety risks involved in the fire service can be

mitigated through fire station design including the addition of tail-pipe exhaust to

capture direct diesel exhaust, the understanding that physical fitness is an

important factor in the ability of a fire fighter to perform their job effectively and

safely leading to the addition of fitness rooms and the concerns regarding air

quality leading to the recommendation that turn-out gear be stored in a dedicated

room with continuous exhaust systems and the availability of both gross and

medical decontamination stations separated from living spaces.

5. The staffing recommendations in NFPA 1710 suggest that staffing levels

necessary to optimize efficiency and safety in an engine company be four

people. Current minimum staffing for MCFD is two person engine companies,

striving to meet NFPA standards would lead to an increase in personnel

assigned to each fire station location.

6. The steady increase in the number of annual training hours required by each fire

fighter for not only suppression but also medical training has led the growth in on-

site training facilities to limit the payment of overtime for training.

7. The introduction of specialty units/response capabilities including Urban Search

and Rescue, Water Rescue and Tamalpais Fire Crew increase the need for

equipment, apparatus storage and in the case of the Tamalpais Fire Crew, a new

facility.


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8. The population growth which has occurred in Marin County drives the need for

additional responding units. In 1960 the Fire Department had 40 firefighters.

Today the department has 87 full time personnel and over 70 seasonal

personnel.

9. In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing essential

services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a

disaster. Their intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the

Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes

requirements that such buildings shall be “…designed and constructed to

minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces of earthquakes, gravity and winds.”

This enabling legislation can be found in the California Health and Safety Code,

Chapter 2, sections 16000 through 16022. In addition, the California Building

Code defines how the intent of the act is to be implemented in Title 24, Part 1 of

the California Building Standards Administrative Code, Chapter 4, and Articles 1

through 3. The intent of the act is to ensure the facility is able to remain

operational in the event of a major earthquake of other disaster. For example,

the openings around the apparatus bay doors are strengthened to prevent a

possible collapse that could trap the responding apparatus in the station and

each facility is required to have access to a source of back-up emergency power.

Any major renovation is required to bring the structural building system in

compliance with this act. In some cases the renovation is so extensive it is more

cost effective to replace the building than to update the structure. For essential

service facilities, immediate occupancy after a major disaster is the goal.

10. The State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) is now called the

California Emergency Management Agency or (CAL EMA) and Marin County Fire

Department works closely with CAL EMA. To enhance the departments’ disaster

response capabilities for the communities in Marin County and throughout the

state, in 2008 the Marin County Fire Department/Urban Search and Rescue

Water Rescue Team became an assignee for a CAL EMA (California Emergency

Management Agency) swift water/flood water cache. This cache includes a 24ft

trailer and tow vehicle. In 2009 the Marin County Fire Department also became

an assignee for a CAL EMA Type I/Medium Rescue Engine. While increasing

our response capabilities and participation in local, statewide and national

emergencies, the addition of these vehicles has also compounded the

department’s issues related to inadequate emergency vehicle storage

capabilities. Being committed to both programs the department is also required

to provide personnel that have been properly trained in specialized operations.

This is driving the need for additional apparatus storage space and training

props.


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Being a Contract County with the California Department of Forestry and Fire

Protection (CALFIRE), the Marin County Fire Department regularly sends

wildland resources throughout the state to major wildland fires. With the increase

of fire activity during the last 10 years, the department has had to augment their

reserve fleet to make sure they can adequately respond to local fire activity

during the fire season. This increase in the reserve engine fleet has

compounded the emergency vehicle storage problems resulting in the

department having to move some of their USAR assets off site. In addition to the

increase in the fleet, the department has enhanced their seasonal staffing to

include longer shifts and more positions. These changes have increased the

demands on the stations, equipment needs, training requirements, and full-time

personnel.

In short, these shifts in fire operations demand better equipped fire facilities to be

effective, and have also significantly increased the size of these facilities. As an

example, the newer Throckmorton and Marin City Fire Stations were designed to

address many of the changes in operations noted above and are both designed

as “Essential” structures. The space needs studies prepared in this report were

based on and refined from the standards put into place in those stations. The

Hicks Valley, Tomales and Point Reyes locations are similar in operation to these

newer stations and were developed to similar space criteria.

The Headquarters operation provides services unique to the department. In addition to suppression

units, Headquarters operations include Administrative and Prevention functions, Dispatch, Vehicle

Maintenance, Training and Warehousing. According to a Station Location Study by Citigate

Associates, the central location of the Headquarter facility is an important contributor to the

Department’s efficiency and effectiveness in serving the county’s service area. Previous studies have

also identified that the current site and all structures are known to have served the Department well

beyond their useful life and represent the largest risk to the County from an operational standpoint in

the event of a major earthquake.

The County Fire Department lacks a dedicated training facility with training props, classrooms and

drill ground. Currently the fire department travels to Novato to use their drill ground, training props

and classroom. All similar county fire departments surveyed have a training facility centrally located

in their service area and/or training facilities at each fire station. This is an important resource which if

available to the County Training Officer would increase training efficiency and allow most training to

occur in-service (not requiring overtime hours) to meet training requirements. The unique geographic

nature of Marin County Fire Department does not allow for engine companies to routinely gather and

work together in a multi-company format. A central training facility located in a strategic location within

our response area is important for an efficient training operation. Allowing, multiple engine

companies to meet and work together, is a critical element in reducing the time it takes to perform

company evolutions on actual incidents. Also, developing smaller training props at each station such

as ventilation, forcible entry and confined space props, will allow companies to build their skill base as


October 4, 2010 | 11


well as train new firefighters while remaining available in their service area. The combination of a

central training facility as well as station training props will allow us to reduce our overtime costs

associated with multi-company exercises and build our skill base as an organization.

The Fire Department, through grant funding, has established the Tamalpais Fire Crew program which

works year round as a vegetation management and fire suppression crew. Currently, the crew is

housed at neighboring fire district fire station. The district is offering the space without cost and it is a

short-term housing solution. The Tamalpais Fire Crew has proven to be a valuable fire prevention

resource for the department and long term funding of the program is anticipated. Through

discussions with MCFD, the most probable location for the Tamalpais Fire Crew is at Hicks Valley FS.


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D. EXISTING FACILITY FINDINGS

Tomales FS

Hicks Valley FS

Point Reyes FS

Woodacre HQ

Throckmorten FS

Marin City FS

Fire Facility Location Map


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MCFD Headquarters & FS ta. Woodacre

Point Reyes Public Safety

33 Castle Rock Road 4th & B Point Reyes Station, CA 94956

Woodacre, CA 94973 415-663-1018

Ph: 415-499-6717

Hicks Valley Fire Tomales Fire Station7330 Red Hill Road 599 Dillion Beach Road Petaluma, CA 94952 Tomales, CA 415-662-2503 707-878-2464

Mt. Barnabe Fire Lookout Mt. Tamalpais Fire Lookout P.O. Box End of East Ridge Boulevard on top of Mt. TamalpaisNear Samuel P. Taylor State Park

Tamalpais Fire Crew 5 Bolling Drive Novato, CA 94949

Marin City Fire Station (Not part of Study) Throckmorton Fire Station (Not part of Study)850 Drake Ave. 816 Panoramic HighwayMarin City, CA 94965 Mill Valley, CA 94941415-446-4463 415-388-5414

MARIN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT FACILITY ADDRESSES


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Existing Facility Summary

FACILITY NAME AND DESCRIPTION

Date Built

Building Size

Site Area

Current Staffing per shift

Calls Per Year

MCFD HEADQUARTERS & FIRE STATION AT WOODACRE

1. Existing Headquarters Fire Station and Dispatch

2. Garage Converted to Offices and Conference Room

3. Apparatus Bay 4. Wood Framed Storage and

Fitness Building 5. Original Apparatus Bay

Converted to Maintenance Shop 6. Portable Building – Prevention

Offices 7. Metal Storage Containers

1973 1940’s 1940’s 1940’s 1940’s N/A N/A

8,200 SF 1,800 SF 5,200 SF 1,000 SF 1,500 SF 600 SF N/A

1.37 Acres

Fire Station No. 1 – 4 full time with 6 seasonal Admin. and Dispatch – 15 Vehicle Maintenance and warehouse – 1 1/2

769

Pt. Reyes Public Safety Building 1984 7,250 SF .75

Acre

3 full time with

3 seasonal

583

Hick Valley Fire Station

1. Fire Station 2. Accessory Building

1963 2000’s

1,986 SF 750 SF

1.3 Acres

2 full time with 2 seasonal

148

Tomales Fire Station

1. Fire Station 2. Accessory Building

1971 2000’s

2,411 SF 500 SF

1.6 Acres

2 full time with 2 seasonal

206

Each was evaluated for the following elements:

Structural Performance - In 1986, the California Legislature determined that buildings providing

essential services should be capable of providing those services to the public after a disaster. Their

intent in this regard was defined in legislation known as the Essential Services Buildings Seismic

Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be “…designed and

constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces of earthquakes, gravity and winds.”

Each facility was evaluated for their compliance with the current seismic codes.


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Accessibility Compliance - The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a law that was

enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. Its long title is "An Act to establish a clear and comprehensive

prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability." The ADA is a wide-ranging civil rights law that

prohibits, under certain circumstances, discrimination based on disability. In this application is

applies to and evaluation of the accessibility to and use of this public facility by the disabled.

Elements of each facility that were evaluated start with a designated disabled parking space with

loading zone, a path of travel to the facility and accessible spaces within each space. Each of the

facilities had elements that were not complaint with current accessibility standards. This is to be

addressed through renovation (Pt. Reyes) or replacement (balance of the facilities).

General Facility Conditions and Program Compliance - Each facility was evaluated to determine the

condition of the architectural fit and finishes, mechanical, electrical, data and structural systems.

Detailed existing facility reports are included in the Detailed Facility Studies (Volumes II and III).

Program spaces were compared to the relevant spaces within each facility for determination of

compliance with the program goals. Refer to the Facility Compliance Matrix in the Comparative

Analysis Reference section of the report for a space-by-space evaluation.


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The main MCFD Headquarters & Fire Station at Woodacre (Headquarters) was constructed in 1973

and many of the structures still in use date back to the 1940s when the Department was first

established. Many of the structures have been renovated and converted to serve functions other than

originally intended. Currently the site has six buildings and one portable trailer serving as offices for

the Fire Prevention and pre-fire management functions. Each of the facilities has long out served

their useful life and the site is not longer suitable in size nor location to support the operation.

1. Existing Headquarters Fire Station and Dispatch 2. Garage Converted to Offices and Conference Room 3. 1940s Warehouse 4. 1940s Wood Framed Storage and Fitness Building 5. Original 1940s Apparatus Bay Converted to Maintenance Shop 6. Portable Building – Prevention Offices 7. Metal Storage Containers

12

3

6

5

4

7


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- The main building serves as Marin County Fire Department

Headquarters, is a two-story, 8,200 square feet wood framed

shear wall building, constructed in 1973. This building also

features a large third floor attic used for storage and mechanical

facility equipment. The facility is not designed to essential facility

seismic standards, is not compliant with current accessibility

standards, does not contain fire sprinklers and provides an

inefficient work environment for the administrative staff that has

been partially relocated to adjacent buildings.

- Additional administrative offices are housed in a single story,

1,800 square foot wood frame building, constructed at an

unknown date. This facility was originally a garage and currently

lacks heat, mechanical ventilation, and restroom facilities. The

facility is not compliant with current accessibility standards and is

not fire sprinklered. The Fire Chief, supporting staff and the only

conference room in the facility are located in this building.

- The apparatus building (engine barn) is a single story, 5,200

square feet pre-engineered steel frame building, constructed in

the 1940’s. It houses the fire departments front line apparatus.

The facility is not designed to essential facility seismic standards,

is not ADA compliant, and is not fire sprinklered or secure.

- The storage and fitness building is a single story, 1,000 square

feet wood frame building, constructed in the 1940s. It houses

the department’s oxygen air fill station and serves as the storage

and distribution center for all department supplies. The facility is

not compliant with current accessibility standards and is not fire

sprinklered.

- The vehicle maintenance building is a single story, 1,500 square

feet wood frame building with a clerestory roof, constructed in

1940. The facility is not compliant with current accessibility

standards, is not fire sprinklered and has non-compliant

ventilation and electrical service in the repair area.


October 4, 2010 | 18


POINT REYES The Point Reyes Public Safety Building was constructed in 1984 and functions as a sheriff’s facility,

fire station and provides a meeting room for the community. It is a two story, 7,500 square feet facility

on ¾ acres site. During fire season three Seasonal Firefighters are assigned to the station to create

two-three person crews for 10 hours of the day and a four-person crew for 24 hours. It is anticipated

that this location will need to provide space for six personnel for 24 hours.

Although a newer structure, the public safety building was designed prior to the adoption of the

Essential Services Act, which required public safety buildings to be designed for “immediate

occupancy”. This facility was designed as a standard commercial structure as was required at the

time. The Essential Services Act was put into place in 1986. Located in one of the most seismically

active zones in the state, it is particularly vulnerable to a major seismic event. The fire station does

provide gender neutral and many of the living quarter elements desired in a newer facility and

therefore this facility is recommended to receive a renovation to provide an “essential service” level

structural system and an expansion to serve missing operational areas such as fitness and

decontamination rooms.

1. Existing Fire Station and Sheriff’s Office 2. Rear Yard with Storage and Septic 3. Parking and Sheriff Entrance 4. Commercial District 5. Residential Properties 6. Undeveloped Property

1

2

3

4

6

5

4


October 4, 2010 | 19


- A complete seismic upgrade to the facility is

recommended with any renovation or expansion.

- The mechanical system does not functional well and is

recommended to be redesigned and replaced with a

more suitably zoned, energy efficient system. The boiler

is undersized to serve both floors and has leaked in the

past.

- The electrical system main panel is at its capacity and

would require an upgrade if the station were expanded

and/or an elevator was added.

- The facility is not compliant with current accessibility

standards and a renovation would trigger a complete

accessibility upgrade.

- The station lacks a dedicated communication room and

has non-compliant conditions at the generator, air-fill and

oxygen station that are recommended to be corrected.

- An elevated deck at the parking lot entrance is

structurally unsound and is currently being replaced.

- The station lacks a dedicated fitness and turn-out rooms,

as well as a dedicated decontamination area/station.

- The facility lacks a fire sprinkler system.


October 4, 2010 | 20


HICKS VALLEY FIRE STATION The Hicks Valley Fire Station Safety Building was constructed in 1963 and was originally designed to provide living quarters for a single two-person engine company. Today it houses three pieces of apparatus (Type III Fire Engine, Water Tender and utility/pick-up truck) and during the winter the OES engine is assigned to the station. During fire season two Seasonal Firefighters are assigned to the station to create a four-person crew for 10 hours of the day and a three-person crew for 24 hours. It is anticipated that in the future this location will need to support six personnel during fire season. The existing station is a one story, 2,000 square feet facility on a ¾ acres site. The building has been well maintained and a separate garage building has been added to the site to support the Department’s fitness, sewing, and hose programs. The fire station lacks many of the operationally driven spaces required to meet the current operational needs of the fire department and to expand and renovate the facility is not cost effective. The core spaces (apparatus bay and living quarters) would need to be expanded such that replacement is more efficient. The site area is not sufficient to support a new septic system and to combine this facility with a new Fire Crew Building. Discussions with the neighboring property owner have led to the exploration of relocating the fire station to a larger adjacent parcel through a land trade. This would enable the Tamalpais Fire Crew building and training building to be co-located with the fire station.

1. Existing Fire Station and Storage Building 2. Septic Leach Field 3. Parking

1

3

1

2


October 4, 2010 | 21


- The structural system is anticipated to perform “below

average” compared to standard construction for similar

building types during a major seismic event and was not

designed as an essential structure to provide an

“immediate occupancy” performance.

- The plumbing system and fixtures appear to be original

and do not contain water saving features. The water

service including pumps and tanks would need to be

upsized to support a larger facility.

- The heating unit serving the living quarters appears to

be newer and would have to be replaced with a larger

unit to support a larger facility.

- The electrical system main panel is at it capacity and

would require an upgrade if the station were expanded.




- The station lacks a dedicated communication room.

- The station lacks a dedicated decontamination room and

turn-out rooms.



October 4, 2010 | 22


TOMALES FIRE STATION

The Tomales Fire Station was constructed in 1971 and was originally designed to provide living

quarters for a single two-person engine company. It is very similar to the Hicks Valley Fire Station in

plan and elevation. Today it houses three pieces of apparatus and during fire season two seasonal

firefighters are assigned to the station to create a four-person crew for 10 hours of the day and a

three-person crew for 24 hours. Tomales Fire Station also houses the Tomales Volunteer Fire

Company, which is a part of the Marin County Fire Department. It is anticipated that in the future this

location will need to support four personnel 24 hours per day during fire season. The existing station

is a one story, 2,000 square feet facility on a 1.6-acre site. The building has been well maintained

and a garage building has been added to the site to support the department’s fitness program, store

supplies and older fire apparatus. The fire station lacks many of the operationally driven spaces

required to meet the current operational needs of the fire department and to expand and renovate the

facility is not cost effective. The core spaces (apparatus bay and living quarters) would need to be

expanded such that replacement is more efficient. The site is in a very good location and replacing

the station on the existing site is desired. The site is sloped and a replacement station would drive

the need for extensive site work to provide adequate apparatus turning area and parking.

1. Existing Fire Station and Storage Building 2. Septic Leach Field 3. Parking

1

31

2


October 4, 2010 | 23


- The structural system is anticipated to perform “below

average” compared to standard construction for similar

building types during a major seismic event and was not

designed as an essential structure to provide an

“immediate occupancy” performance.

- The plumbing system and fixtures appear to be original

and do not contain water saving features. The existing

well, pumps and storage tanks would need to be

relocated and upsized to support a larger facility.

- The heating unit serving the living quarters appears to

be newer and would have to be replaced with a larger

unit to support a larger facility.

- The electrical system main panel is at its capacity and

would require an upgrade if the station were expanded.




- The station lacks a dedicated communication room.

- The station lacks a dedicated decontamination room and

turn-out rooms.



October 4, 2010 | 24


E. SPACE NEEDS SUMMARY AND SITE ARRANGEMENT


The Headquarters operations are divided into five distinct operations:

- Administration including prevention and forestry - Emergency Command Center (Dispatch) - Fire Suppression (Fire Station No. 1) - Training Operations (Classroom and Drill Tower) - Warehouse and Distribution - Apparatus and Equipment repair and maintenance Overall Facility Space Needs Summary

Ref. Facility Description Existing Program

(FS) Fire

Station

Six bay Fire Station 6,201 16,270 SF

(A) Admin,

Training,

ECC

Admin., prevention, pre-fire planning, deputy chiefs,

dispatch, training classroom

1,908 10,408 SF

(VM) Vehicle

Maint.

Two repair bays, one lube bay and tire rotation bay

2,400 5,151 SF

(WH) Ware-

house

Dozer tender, USAR supplies, department wide safety gear storage, office,

medical storage, administrative records

storage

4,500 10,011 SF

(TT) Training

Tower

Four Story pre-engineered training tower with props

0 800 SF Footprint

Surveys from similar Fire Departments concurred that there are tremendous operational and

management advantages to having all functions identified above in a single location. Key

adjacencies include the administrative leadership and the Emergency Command Center as the

intercommunication between command staff and the ECC/Dispatch staff is a crucial part of the

contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire). Co-location is

important during daily activities and critical in the event of an expanded dispatch required during a

major event. In addition, the Department is able to maintain a minimal level of support staff when co-

located with vehicle maintenance and warehousing as on-duty fire fighters often support these

functions when on-duty. Key attributes to a potential new site include a location central to the fire

service area, direct adjacency to a major thoroughfare and a size adequate to co-locate all facilities.

A generic site was identified as a potential location for a replacement Headquarters facility as

diagrammed on the following page.


October 4, 2010 | 25


SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY – SCHEME 1

SITE NOTES: - Administration, Training and ECC Building directly adjacent to the primary street. - Adequate site area to mitigate storm water run off through landscape features. - Warehousing and Vehicle maintenance is located at the center of the site limiting training area. - Adequate site area for septic leach field with future expansion area.


October 4, 2010 | 26


SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY – SCHEME 2 (Preferred Option)

Of the two alternatives developed, this is the preferred site arrangement because is provides

separation of the response traffic from the daily maintenance and warehousing operations and

administrative/training uses. The main access driveway divides the site allowing the maintenance

and warehouse functions to operate separate from the Fire Station No. 1 response path and training

area. The Administrative/Training/Emergency Command Center facility is separated from both the

apparatus response path and the maintenance functions allowing guests and visiting companies to

access this facility for training or to visit the Fire Prevention offices without impeding Station No. 1

response requirements. This option can be phased without impacting the operations of each function.

There is adequate site area for storm water management and septic leach field with replacement

area.

See Scheme 2 layout on the following page.


October 4, 2010 | 27


Site Notes: - Administration, Training and ECC Building directly adjacent to the primary street. - Adequate site area to mitigate storm water run off through landscape features. - Warehousing and Vehicle maintenance is located edge of the site optimizing the training area. - Adequate site area for septic leach field with future expansion area.


October 4, 2010 | 28


HEADQUARTERS SUMMARY Fire Station No. 1 Staffing Assumptions

This station is staffed by a single engine company (four personnel per shift) for the months outside of

the designated fire season. When fire season is in place six additional personnel are added per shift

for a total of 10 on-duty firefighters. One additional station company (four personnel) is anticipated to

be added at this location over the lifetime of this facility.

Current Winter Crew -- 4 personnel Captain, Engineer, Engineer/Paramedic, Firefighter/Paramedic

Future Winter Crew -- 4 personnel 2 Engineers, 1 HFEO, 1 Engineer/Paramedic

Seasonal Crew -- 6 crew members 6 Seasonal Firefighters (minimum staffing in summer)


(FS) Fire Station

Apparatus Bays and Support 5,558 SF 7,684 SF

Station - Firefighter Offices 330 668

Station - Firefighter Quarters 313 4,294

Station - Utility 0 370

Fire Station (FS) SUBTOTAL (SF) 6,201 13,016

Circulation at 25% 3,254

Fire Station (FS) GRAND TOTAL (SF)

16,270


October 4, 2010 | 29


Administration, Training & Emergency Communications Center Staffing Assumptions

This facility is staffed by fire department administrators and includes the command staff and support

personnel, fire prevention and public education personnel and dispatchers/call takers. A total of 15

personnel currently occupy this facility at any one time. Administrative personnel work a 40-hour

work week and the Emergency Communications Center staff work 48-hour shifts.

Administration/Prevention = 13 total personnel

Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Battalion Chief, Forester, EMS BC. Training BC, Fire Marshal, GIS Technician, Prevention Specialist, Admin. Services Supervisor, Finance Administrator, Senior Clerk/Typist, Future Clerk

ECC = 2 current on-duty, 1 additional dispatcher future

Dispatch Supervisor, Dispatcher/Call Taker, Future Dispatcher/Call Taker


(A) Admin. Training

ECC

Administration/Training (A) Subtotal

1,368 6,618

(E) Emergency Comm. Center (E)

Subtotal540 1,338

Utility Support Space Subtotal 0 370

BUILDING SUBTOTAL (SF) 1,908 8,326

Circulation at 25% 2,082

Administration, Training and ECC/Dispatch GRAND TOTAL

(SF)

10,408


October 4, 2010 | 30


HEADQUARTERS SUMMARY – CONTINUED

Vehicle Maintenance Staffing Assumptions

The vehicle maintenance operations are run by a single master mechanic who works a 40 hours shift

but is on-call to perform maintenance duties in the event of an emergency. He is support by Fire

Station No. 1 on-duty firefighters as they are available for projects that take a second person.

Current Vehicle Maintenance (1) State Certified Master Mechanic – Fire Apparatus

Future Maintenance Support (1) Part-time Assistant

Ref. Facility Description Use Program

(VR) Apparatus,

Equipment

Repair

Maintenance Bays

3 single deep bays

3,000

Work Bench Tool Chests, parts washers,

vise --

Welding Shop Welding shop Hazardous

Occupancy 300

Parts Storage Storage area for parts 400

Tire and Rim StorageStorage for tires and rims on

storage racks 500

Equipment Room

Room for lube equipment, compressors, storage

500

Mechanic Office Work station with file cabinets

and shelving 100

Janitor Room

Storage for facility supplies, service sink, mop rack

45

Restroom unisex, accessible near

Office 54

BUILDING SUBTOTAL (SF) 4,899

Circulation/Structure (25%) 252

Vehicle Maintenance GRAND TOTAL: 5,151


October 4, 2010 | 31


HEADQUARTERS SUMMARY – CONTINUED

Warehouse/Distribution Staffing Assumptions

The warehouse operations are managed by a single part time employee. Responsibilities include

inventory management, transportation of inventory to outlying stations and ordering/receiving/stocking

supplies.

Warehouse Manager Currently part-time moving to full time in the future

Ref. Facility Description Program

(FS) Warehouse Public/Office Area Subtotal 315

Warehouse Subtotal 8,219

Utility Subtotal 202

BUILDING SUBTOTAL (SF) 8,736

Circulation/Structure 1,275

WAREHOUSE GRAND TOTAL (SF) 10,011


October 4, 2010 | 32


POINT REYES

OVERALL FACILITY SPACE NEEDS SUMMARY Staffing Assumptions

This station is staffed by a single engine company (three personnel per shift) for the months outside

of the designated fire season. When fire season is in place three additional personnel are added per

shift for a total of six on-duty firefighters. Additional station companies or individual staffing members

are not anticipated to be added at this location for the lifetime of this facility.

As a newer facility, the Point Reyes Fire Station includes some of the program spaces required to

meet the current operations of the fire service including some private sleeping quarters and a medical

storage room. Additional space is necessary to provide the functional spaces identified in the

program standards. Alternatives including adding to the station and/or relocating the law enforcement

function. A seismic retrofit is recommended as a part of any improvement solution as the station is

not built to “Essential Service Standards” since it was built prior to the enacting of the Essential

Services Act of 1986. As this facility is less than 500 yards from the San Andreas Fault it is highly

vulnerable to a major seismic event.

Engine Company: Current 3

Fire Season: Current 3

Total: 6 total on duty fire fighters. No future staffing growth at this location.


(FS) Pt. Reyes Fire Station

Training/Community Building 661 478

Office/Lobby Subtotal 569 444

Apparatus Bay Subtotal 1,739 4,390

Living Quarters Subtotal 1,288 1,926



Actual Circulation/Structure SF (used in Existing Bldg. & in Renovation Schemes, Circulation/Structure at 25% only used in

Program)

1,191 1,868

Sheriff Station SF (included in Existing Bldg. and Schemes

1A & 1B)2,900 2,070

Point Reyes Fire Station (SF) 8,432 11,410


October 4, 2010 | 33


The site is impacted by a lack of parking, training area and a replacement area for the septic leach

field. These impacts could be reduced by the relocation of the law enforcement functions/parking to

another location, training at the Hicks Valley site and the use of a pit type leach field as the

replacement sewage treatment solution.

POINT REYES EXISTING SITE LAYOUT


October 4, 2010 | 34


POINT REYES DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES– SCHEME 1A


October 4, 2010 | 35


POINT REYES DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES – SCHEME 1B


October 4, 2010 | 36


POINT REYES DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES– SCHEME 2A


October 4, 2010 | 37


POINT REYES

DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES– SCHEME 2B (Preferred)

This alternative is preferred as is meets most of the operational goals of each user group; the fire

department, sheriff’s department and community. This alternative requires the sheriff operations to

be relocated to a new building on-site. Off-site parking would have to be secured for this option to be

feasible. This scheme proposes a complete seismic upgrade and reorganizes the entire existing

facility to provide a sixth sleeping room, a fitness room, missing apparatus and utility support

functional area for turn-outs, decontamination, medical storage, special projects and communications

for the fire department. The kitchen, dining and dayroom have been relocated to the first level and

the second floor reorganized to allow a total of six bedrooms as required in the program. This

alternative proposes to relocate the generator to the building exterior and does not require the

relocation of the existing septic system leach field although it may need to be expanded to serve the

new building. The community room and law enforcement functions, located in a new building, would

be connected to the existing facility by a bridge between the second floors. This is the preferred

option as it meets most of the program criteria, completely upgrades the facility and allows all public

safety functions servicing the town of Pt. Reyes to remain at a single location.


October 4, 2010 | 38


POINT REYES DEVELOPMENT ALTERNATIVES– SCHEME 2B (Preferred)


October 4, 2010 | 39


HICKS VALLEY FIRE STATION


The Hicks Valley Fire Station is staffed by a single engine company (two personnel per shift) for the months outside of the designated fire season. When fire season is in place three additional personnel are added per shift for a total of five on-duty firefighters. One full time staff member per shift (to make-up a single engine company with three personnel serving the area year round) is anticipated to be added at this location. Current Staffing Future Staffing Schedule

Engine Company: 2 full time (all year around) Engine Company: 3 full time 48 hour shifts

Fire Season: 3 additional Fire Season: 3 (no increase) 4- ten hour days (Tues-Fri.)**

Total personnel current staffing = 5 Total personnel at build-out = 6


(HV) Hicks Valley Fire Station Office/Lobby Subtotal 125 444

Apparatus Bay Subtotal 811 4,390

Living Quarters Subtotal 867 1,926



Circulation/Structure at 25% 183 1,746

Hicks Valley Fire Station (SF) 1,986 8,730


(SB) Support Building

Restroom 0 64

Sewing/hose repair shop 381 494

Supply storage room 176 168

Fitness Room 320 414

Haz Mat Storage Area 60 96

Welding Shop 0 64

BUILDING SUBTOTAL (SF)

937 1,780

Circulation/Structure at 25%

162 178

Support Building (SF) 1,099 1,958


October 4, 2010 | 40


TAMALPAIS FIRE CREW


This facility is staffed by a Superintendant and Engineer/Captain on a 40 hour per week schedule

year around. When fire season is in place 10 -12 seasonal firefighters join those two supervisors

working 4- ten-hour shifts. They are held overnight for days; up to weeks at a time; when the County

is experiencing high fire danger. The program anticipates growth through the addition of three

supervisorial positions (year round) and 4 additional seasonal workers for total personnel at build out

to equal 21 personnel. The Fire Crew currently resides in a facility from the Novato Fire Department.

Current Staffing Future Staffing Schedule

Supervisor - 1 Full time (all year around) Supervisor - 1 Full time (all year around)

4- ten hour days (Tues-Fri.)**

Eng./Captain - 1 Full time (all year around)

Eng./Captain - 2 Full time (all year around)


Fire Fighter/Eng - 0 (job boss) Fire Fighter/Eng - 2 Full time (all year around)


10-11 seasonal firefighters 16 seasonal firefighters



** 24 hrs/day during periods of high fire danger


(FC) Tamalpais Fire Crew


Apparatus Bay Subtotal 0 3,256

Firefighter Quarters Subtotal 0 3,139


BUILDING SUBTOTAL (SF) 0 7,005

Circulation/Structure at 25% 0 1,751

CREW QUARTERS TOTAL (SF) 0 8,756

As one of the older original facilities the Hicks Valley fire station has served its useful life and is

recommended to be replaced. The water to the current site is provided by the adjacent property

owner and its availability not controlled by a public utility or the Department. The property owner has

approached the Department about relocating the station to another site adjacent to the current

location. This would provide benefits to both the property owner for development opportunities and

for the fire department as it would provide a larger area and be able to support multiple functions

including the Hicks Valley Fire Station, Training classroom, building for manipulative training props


October 4, 2010 | 41


and the Tamalpais Fire Crew facility. Securing the site and water rights would be an important set in

upgrading this facility to meet current and future fire operations.

SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY The site layout for the Hicks Valley Fire Station and Tamalpais Fire Crew was developed to allow

both functions to operate efficiently on-site with a focus on apparatus response from the Hicks Valley

station drive through bays as the primary arrangement driver. The benefit of joining the two functions

on-site is that they can share support functional areas such as the fitness and training area. They

can also share the outdoor space, fueling and parking. There is adequate site area for the required

storm run-off retention basin, the training area required around the tower and for septic leach fields.


October 4, 2010 | 42


TOMALES FIRE STATION


This station is staffed by a single engine company (two personnel per shift) for the months outside of

the designated fire season. When fire season is in place two additional personnel are added per shift

for a total of four on-duty firefighters. On occasion a 5th volunteer staff members will respond from the

station for a 24-hour shift. One additional permanent fire fighter is anticipated to be added at this

location for the lifetime of this facility for a total of five on-duty.

Current Staffing Future Staffing Schedule

Engine Company: 2 full time (all year around)

Engine Company: 3 full time

48 hour shifts

Fire Season: 2 additional Fire Season: 2 4- ten hour days (Tues-Fri.)



(TF) Tomales Fire Station


Apparatus Bay Subtotal 1,153 4,390

Living Quarters Subtotal 1225 2,340



Actual Circulation/Structure SF used in Existing Buildings.; at 25% in

Program356 1,852

Tomales Fire Station - Scheme 1 - 1 story (SF)

2,859 9,260

Tomales Fire Station - Scheme 2 - 1 story, split level (SF)

9,532

Tomales Fire Station - Scheme 3 - 2 stories (SF)

9,896

The location of the Tamales Fire station is perfectly placed to serve this community and area of the

County. It is on a main vehicular route and has adequate site area for future development. This

particular facility has the lowest call volume in the department and is recommended to be lower on

the priority list because of the potential for slower staffing growth at this location compared to Hicks

Valley and Woodacre. A two-story scheme is the desired replacement solution due to the sloping

site. This location is planned to include a training building.


October 4, 2010 | 43


SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY – SCHEME 1


October 4, 2010 | 44


SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY – SCHEME TWO


October 4, 2010 | 45


SITE ARRANGEMENT STUDY – SCHEME 3 (Preferred)

Of the three site arrangements studied for this location Scheme 3 is the most preferred. The wind

plays a major role in the arrangement of this site and any option that is oriented to the

south/southwest is not desired. Scheme 1 is not an option due to the effect of the wind. Scheme 2 is

not preferred because of the amount of cut and fill required and how close the fire station is to the

neighboring property. Scheme 3 is optimal as it avoids the wind effect and is held away from the

property to the east. This two-story plan allows more usable site area with the least amount of cut

and fill and provides enough site area to support the required parking and training.


October 4, 2010 | 46


F. VISION PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COST SUMMARY

OVERVIEW

Overall project budgets have been developed for each project. Comparative budgets were developed

from a program level and through quantitative estimates prepared by NJ Fearon and Associates, Cost

Estimators. At this level of planning a range of costs is an appropriate cost budgeting tool. The site

costs for both the Woodacre Headquarters and Hicks Valley/Fire Crew projects were based on an

assumed area and location. Further investigations will be necessary to determine if either of the sites

used for the budget process are available for purchase and development within the timeframes

identified in the recommendations section.

PROJECT BUDGET

In order to develop project budgets, both hard and soft costs were considered. Hard costs are the

construction costs based on an estimate of the construction bid, and soft costs consist of professional

fees, administrative costs, equipment, and contingencies that are added to the construction costs to

achieve a project budget. These soft costs can add 35 to 45% depending on factors such as whether

the County’s internal project management and administrative costs are charged to the project.

Below is a summary indicating a budget order of magnitude for each project based on preliminary site

areas and programmed square footage. Each project budget anticipates escalation to the mid point

of this year (2013) and additional factors for inflation should be added to the project budget each year

the anticipated construction date extends.

MCFD Headquarters and Fire Station Facility

Division Totals: High Range

(BPA) Low Range

(NJF)

A.

Fire Station, Administration, ECC, Warehouse and Vehicle Maintenance Buildings, Equipment and

Furnishings Budget: $23,089,170 $20,040,100B. Design and Other Related Fees: $3,963,679 $3,536,809C. Administrative, Permit and Bidding Costs: $1,575,350 $1,392,406D. Project Contingencies: $5,348,455 $2,924,092

Conceptual Project Budget Range: $33,976,654 $27,893,408

Hicks Valley Fire Station / Tamalpais Fire Crew


(BPA) Low Range

(NJF)

A.

Fire Station, Fire Crew, Training Tower and Support Buildings, Equipment & Furnishings

Budget: $12,800,133 $11,219,250B. Design and Other Related Fees: $2,475,764 $2,147,264C. Administrative, Permit and Bidding Costs: $1,902,019 $1,680,695D. Project Contingencies: $2,624,027 $2,624,027



October 4, 2010 | 47


Point Reyes – Option 2B


(BPA ) Low Range

(NJF)

A. Fire Station (Option 3 Two story), Support

Buildings, Equipment and Furnishings Budget: $3,650,500 $3,528,000B. Design and Other Related Fees: $809,127 $798,262C. Administrative, Permit and Bidding Costs: $256,530 $249,180D. Project Contingencies: $837,866 $809,161




(BPA) Low Range

(NJF)

A.

Fire Station (Option 3 Two story), Training Tower and Support Buildings, Equipment and

Furnishings Budget: $5,876,560 $5,044,150B. Design and Other Related Fees: $1,108,387 $991,849C. Administrative, Permit and Bidding Costs: $420,062 $403,414D. Project Contingencies: $1,204,695 $504,415


Vision Plan Total Cost Summary

Facility High Range

(BPA) Low Range

(NJF) Headquarters and Fire Station – Woodacre: $33,976,654 $27,893,408 Hicks Valley FS / Fire Crew: $19,801,942 $17,671,237 Point Reyes: $5,554,023 $5,376,603 Tomales: $8,609,704 $6,943,828 Mt. Barnabe and Mt. Tam Lookouts (from DPW): $68,750 $36,750

Vision Plan Budget Range: $68,011,073 $57,921,826

The construction cost and project costs are both estimated in today’s dollars. Each project budget will

need to be evaluated for the effects of cost escalation as each project schedule with known funding is

established. The Headquarters and Hicks Valley site arrangement studies were developed on

generic or uninvestigated site locations. Each project budget will need to be updated to reflect the

final site selected and the attributes of that location related to cost. Property costs are not included in

the overall project budgets and would need to be a consideration once the final sites are confirmed.


October 4, 2010 | 48


G. PROJECT PRIORITY RANKINGS

The following chart scores each facility according criteria used by the County for capital projects.

Remaining useful life of each facility was taken into account in the scoring of criteria 1, 2 & 3. Each

criterion has a priority weight factor that is multiplied by each facility’s score. A weighted score is then

totaled on the right hand side of the chart. Although it is more functionally and economically efficient

to build each project as a whole, Woodacre, Hicks Valley and Tomales are broken out into various

construction phases to give the County more flexibility in project development.

Project Phasing

Where possible, each master planning project was phased to better prioritize each facility according

to importance. In a phased project, it is assumed that the site work substantially complete while

individual buildings are constructed as needed. In addition, project phasing will offer the County more

flexibility in terms of funding options for each location. For each project, once the level of project

phasing is known and specific site is determined, future cost estimates for each phase can be

performed.


October 4, 2010 | 49


PRE-PLANNING RECOMMENDATIONS

Facility Description

MCFD Headquarters and Fire Station Planning

Locate and procure a minimum of 8.5 acres in the central response zone of the Department and replace each facility. Determine funding strategies for project. Develop Phasing alternatives as necessary.

Hicks Valley Fire Station Planning

Secure property agreement with neighboring property Owner. Determine funding strategies for project.

Point Reyes Planning Further develop options for renovating and expanding the Point Reyes Fire Station. Seek possible locations to relocate Sheriff Substation


October 4, 2010 | 50


FINAL PROJECT PRIORITY RANKINGS – PHASED PROJECTS

Priority Facility Description Total

Weighted Score

A

Headquarters Admin., ECC/Dispatch - Phase 1

Secure funding; develop master plan, community outreach and entitlements. Phase 1 construction documents and construction of new facility.

72

A Headquarters Fire St. Replacement - Phase 2


67

A Hicks Valley Fire St Replacement – Phase 1

Secure funding; develop master plan, community outreach and entitlements. Phase 1 construction documents and construction.

61

B

Headquarters Maintenance Building & Warehouse - Phase 3


53

B Point Reyes Renovation & Addition

Choose development option, secure funding, community outreach, entitlement, construction documents and construction.

48

C Headquarters Training Tower - Phase 4


47

C Hicks Valley Fire Crew – Phase 2

Construction Documents and Construct Fire Crew Facility at Hicks Valley site.

46

C Tomales FS Station Replacement – Phase 1

Replace fire station on existing site planning for future training tower

43

C Mt. Tamalpais Fire Lookout

Perform maintenance repairs 29

C Mt. Barnabe Fire Lookout

Perform maintenance repairs and technical upgrades

27

C Hick Valley Training Tower – Phase 3

Add Training tower at Hicks Valley site 26

C Tomales Training Tower – Phase 2

Add Training Tower at Tomales site 26

Again, although it is more functionally and economically efficient to build each project as a whole,

Woodacre, Hicks Valley and Tomales are broken out into various construction phases to give the

County more flexibility in project development.

For support documents and detailed facility reports, refer to Volumes II and III of this Vision Plan Report.


October 4, 2010 | 51


APPENDIX

LIST OF REFERENCED DOCUMENTS Marin County Fire Department - Department Wide Studies Transitional Review Report September 2003 Prepared by Ronnie J. Coleman, Fire Force One Marin County Fire Department Facilities Strategic Plan Support Documentation August 2005 Prepared by MCFD Fire Station Planning Study December 3, 2008 Prepared for the Marin County Fire Department by Citigate Associates, LLC Hicks Valley and Tomales Fire Stations Master Plan Study for Hicks Valley and Tomales Fire Stations October 7, 2005 Prepared by Hilliard Architects, Inc. Woodacre Master Plan Study - Woodacre Fire Complex March 13, 2001 Prepared by Interactive Resources Architects and Engineers Marin County Fire Department Emergency Command Center Operations Operational Analysis Prepared by MCFD Marin County Fire Department - Standards of Cover 2007 Prepared By MCFD


October 4, 2010 | 52


COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS Station profiles and Matrix of Compliance with Space Standards

As a part of developing the vision plan priority rankings, each facility space and space attribute was

ranked according to their compliance with code, polices and trends in the industry. Specific codes or

regulations include the Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act, the Americans with Disability

Act of 1990 and the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).

Policy as developed by the National Fire Protection Agency including:

NFPA 1201 - Standard for Providing Emergency Services to the Public NFPA 1500 - Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program NFPA 1581 - Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program NFPA 1710 - Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments

Trends and guidelines as established in the development of the newer Marin City and Throckmorten

Fire Stations were used as a basis for many of the space standards included in the program. In

addition, a survey of 11 similar fire districts and departments was conducted to learn the operational

goals of those districts and how facilities were developed in their Districts or Departments to support

both the training and apparatus and equipment maintenance operations within each department.

Those Districts or Departments are:

County of San Mateo/CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit North County Fire Authority Sonoma County Fire Department CAL FIRE Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit/Napa County Fire Department North County Fire Protection District (of Monterey County) Aromas Tri-County Fire Protection District (Monterey County) Central Fire Protection District (Santa Cruz County) CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit (Santa Clara County) Santa Barbara County Fire San Luis Obispo County Fire/CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit Ventura County Fire Department (Contract County Similar to Marin)

The following Facility Compliance Matrixes summarize each fire facility under study in terms of code

and policy compliance, as well as trend & guideline conformity. The key legend below applies to all

forms.

KEYH - Meets the intent of the categoryM - Partially meets the intent of the categoryL - Does not meet the intent of the categoryBlank = not applicable to category


October 4, 2010 | 53


Woodacre Administration/

ECC**H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L

Woodacre Admin./ECC - X X X X X X X XSite and Training Tower X X X X XStation Location XOffices/Lobby /Training Area

Public Entry Lobby X X X XFire Department Museum X X X

Accessible Public Restroom X X X XFire Chief Office X X X X

Deputy Fire Chief Office X X X XBC Office X X X X

EMS BC Office X X X XTraining BC Office X X X X

Forrester Office X X XFire Marshall Office X X X

Fire Marshall Open Office Area X X X

Administrative Supervisor Office X X X

Finance Office X X XSpare Office X X X

Public Education Specialist Office/Storage X X X

Admin. Open Office X X X

Admin. File Storage X X XAdmin. Workroom/Storage X X X

Training Classroom X X X XTraining Equipment Storage X X X X

Large Conference Room X X XSmall Conference

Room/Interview Room X X XHospitality Area X X X X

Admin./Dispatch Break Room X X X X X

Staff Restroom/Locker Room X X X X X

Dispatch Supervisor Office X X X X XDispatch Work Stations X X X X X

Expanded Dispatch X X X XWall Map X X X X X

Unisex Restroom X XDispatch Locker Room X X X X X XDispatch Fitness Room X X X X X X

UtilityGeneral Building Storage X X

Mechanical Room X XElectrical Room X X X X X X

Communications Room X X X X X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/GuidelinesProgram Square footage - Component diagrams were developed to establish the minimum space needs for each operational area. Refer to detail space needs analysis and related component diagram.

NFPA 1201 - Standard for Providing Emergency Services to the Public - Guiding principles and policies including the development of a facilities plan, training and safety procedures, public education programs and emergency operations planning.NFPA 1500 - Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. Provides guiding principles and policies on the facility safety related to fitness programs, protective clothing maintenance and storage and response criteria. NFPA 1581 - Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program - provides guiding principles and policies regarding station disinfection, air quality requirements, protective gear cleaning requirements and living quarter finish/clean ability.

NFPA 1710 - Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments - This standard contains minimum requirements relating to the organization and deployment of fire suppression operations, emergency medical operations, and special operations to the public by substantially all career fire departments. The requirements address functions and objectives of fire department emergency service delivery, response capabilities, and resources.

Program Square Footage

Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act - Essential Services Buildings Seismic Safety Act of 1986 and includes requirements that such buildings shall be “…designed and constructed to minimize fire hazards and to resist the forces of earthquakes, gravity and winds.”

ADA - The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) is a law that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1990. Its long title is "An Act to establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability." CAL/OSHA - The Division of Occupational Safety and Health, better known as Cal/OSHA, protects workers and the public from safety hazards through its Occupational Safety and Health inspection programs.

NFPA 1201

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710

Emergency Communications Center (Dispatch)

** Currently the Fire Station and Administration/ECC functions occur in the same building. This evaluates only the Admin./ECC functions of that building.

Matrix of Facility ComplianceEssential Services Buildings Seismic

Safety Act

Americans With

Disabilities Act CAL/OSHA


October 4, 2010 | 54


Woodacre Fire Station**

H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M LWoodacre Fire Station - X X X X X X X XSite and Training Tower X XStation Location X

Apparatus Bay and SupportApparatus Bay X X X X

Vending/Ice Alcove X X X X X XMedical Stor. & Treatment X X X X X X X

Central Maintenance Storage X X X X XTurnout Gear Room X X X X X X

Janitor Room/ Facility Wide Storage X X X

Communications Alcove X X X X XWork Bench Alcove X X X X X X

Decontamination Alcove X X X X X XHose Storage X X X X X X

Special Projects Room X X X X XEmergency Supply Storage X X X X X

Offices/Lobby /Training AreaFirefighter Workstations X X X X X XShared Captains Office X X X X X X

Station Night Lobby X X X XStation Public Restroom X X

Living QuartersKitchen X X X

Dining Room X XDayroom X X X

Fitness Room* X X X X

Accessible Fitness Restroom X XLaundry/Janitor X X X X

Dorm room X X X X XBC Quarters/Restroom X X X X X

Firefighter Bedroom X X X X XFirefighter Bathroom X X X X X

UtilityGeneral Building Storage X X

Mechanical Room XElectrical Room X

Communications Room X X*The fitness room is not located in the fire station but in an adjacent facility.

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/Guidelines


Safety Act

Americans With


NFPA 1201

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710


Program Square footage - Component diagrams were developed to establish the minimum space needs for each operational area. Refer to detail space needs analysis and related component diagram.



NFPA 1201 - Standard for Providing Emergency Services to the Public - Guiding principles and policies including the development of a facilities plan, training and safety procedures, public education programs and emergency operations planning.

** Currently the fire station and administration/ECC functions occur in the same building. This evaluates only the Fire Station functions of that building.

NFPA 1500 - Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. Provides guiding principles and policies on the facility safety related to fitness programs, protective clothing maintenance and storage and response criteria. NFPA 1581 - Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program - provides guiding principles and policies regarding station disinfection, air quality requirements, protective gear cleaning requirements and living quarter finish/clean ability.



October 4, 2010 | 55


Woodacre Vehicle Maintenance

H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L

Woodacre Vehicle Maintenance - Overall X X X X X X XSite X XLocation X

Vehicle MaintenanceMaintenance Bays X X X X

Work Bench X X X XWelding Shop X X X X

Part Storage X X X XTire and Rim Storage X X X X

Equipment Room X X X XMechanic Office X X X X

Janitor Room X X XRestroom X X X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/Guidelines








Safety Act

Americans With


NFPA 1201

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710



October 4, 2010 | 56


Woodacre Warehouse

H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M LWoodacre Warehouse - X X X X X X X

Warehouse Location XPublic Office Area

Entrance Lobby X XStaff Restroom X X

Office X X

WarehouseReceiving/Distribution X X X X

Will Call/Drop-off X XFlammable Liquid Storage X X X

Pallet Storage X XDepartment Records X X X X X X

PPE (Safety Gear) Storage X X X X X

Firefighter Equipment Storage X X X X XUSAR Storage X X X X X

Station Supplies and Public Ed. Material Storage X X

Red Cross, Disaster Cache, SCBA Trailer/Truck Bay X X X X X

Dozer Transporter Truck/Trailer X X X X X

Medical Supply Storage X X X X XForklift Storage/Charging X

Warehouse Janitor Closet X XOxygen Airfill Room X X X X X X

UtilityMechanical Room X X

Electrical Room X XCommunications Room X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/Guidelines


Safety Act

Americans With


NFPA 1201

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710




NFPA 1201 - Standard for Providing Emergency Services to the Public - Guiding principles and policies including the development of a facilities plan, training and safety procedures, public education programs and emergency operations planning.NFPA 1500 - Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program. Provides guiding principles and policies on the facility safety related to fitness programs, protective clothing maintenance and storage and response criteria. NFPA 1581 - Standard on Fire Department Infection Control Program - provides guiding principles and policies regarding station disinfection, air quality requirements, protective gear cleaning requirements and living quarter finish/clean ability.




October 4, 2010 | 57


Hicks Valley Fire Station

H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M LHicks Valley - Overall X X X X X X X XSite and Training Tower X XStation Location X X X XOffices/Lobby /Training Area

Public Entry Lobby X X X XAccessible Public Restroom X X X X

Station Office X X X X XSupply Storage Room X

Apparatus Bay and SupportApparatus Bay X X X X X X X

Vending/Ice Alcove X X X X XMedical Stor. & Treatment X X X X X X

Communications Alcove X X X X XShop Alcove X X X X X X

Turn-out Gear Room X X X X X XJanitor Closet X X X X X X

Special Projects Room XEmergency Supply Storage X X


Dining Room X XDayroom X X

Laundry/Janitor X X X X X

Firefighter Sleeping Quarters X X X X XFirefighter Restrooms X X X X X


Electrical Room X XCommunications Room X X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/GuidelinesProgram Square footage - Component diagrams were developed to establish the minimum space needs for each operational area. Refer to detail space needs analysis and related component diagram.

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710


Essential Services Buildings Seismic

Safety Act

Americans With


Matrix of Facility Compliance



NFPA 1201





October 4, 2010 | 58


Pt. Reyes Fire Station

H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M LPt. Reyes - Overall X X X X X X X XSite and Training Props X X X X XStation Location X XTraining/Community Room

Training/Community Room X X X XTable and Chair Storage X X X

Fitness Room X X X XData Room X X

Offices/LobbyPublic Entry Lobby X X X X X

Accessible Public Restroom X X X X XStation Office X X X X X X

Supply Storage Room X



Communications Alcove X X X XShop Alcove X X X X X


SCBA/Airfill Room X X X X X XEmergency Supply Storage X X X X X

Living QuartersKitchen X X X X

Dining Room X X X XDayroom X X X X



UtilityMechanical Room X

Electrical Room XCommunications Room X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/Guidelines

Matrix of Facility Compliance



NFPA 1201





NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710


Essential Services Buildings Seismic

Safety Act

Americans With



October 4, 2010 | 59



H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M L H M LTomales - Overall X X X X X X X XSite and Training Tower XStation Location X X X XOffices/Lobby /Training Area

Public Entry Lobby X X X XAccessible Public Restroom X X X X

Station Office X X X X XTomales Volunteer Storage

Room X



Communications Alcove X X X X XShop Alcove X X X X X X


Special Projects Room XEmergency Supply Storage X X


Dining Room X XDayroom X X




Electrical Room X XCommunications Room X X X

Code Requirements

Policy

Trends/Guidelines








Safety Act

Americans With


NFPA 1201

NFPA 1500

NFPA 1581

NFPA 1710



October 4, 2010 | 60


Comparative Departments and Survey Results Through the development of Marin City and Throckmorten a fire facility space standard has been established which was refined through this report. This established the standards for fire stations into the future. The degree to which each fire station complies with these established standards is noted in the Matrix of Compliance table above. For the most part, Hicks Valley, Tomales, Woodacre and critical aspects of the Pt. Reyes public safety building do not meet those standards and this has been addressed in this report. A survey of comparative departments was developed to validate the space needs of the supporting operations of the fire department including training and apparatus and equipment maintenance. The Administrative and Emergency Command Center operational approach and location has been evaluated and validated through the Citigate Standards of Cover analysis and were not a part of this survey. The survey was developed to explore the operational approach these similar departments used to provide training and fire apparatus and equipment repair and maintenance. Surveys were sent to 11 departments with 4 responding. A copy of the survey and survey responses are included in the appendix. The survey questions focused on how each department was meeting their training requirements both in-service (no overtime pay) and out of service (overtime pay). It also asked similar questions about how each department was providing apparatus and equipment maintenance and repair operations. A summary of the questions and responses are as follows: Training Facilities

1. What is your current operational approach to providing training at remotely located stations? a. Generally, each department utilizes a central training classroom bringing staff in for

out-of-service training. This is limited to required training and sometimes reduced engine company staffing is utilized to avoid overtime pay. This typically does not occur during fire season. The only exception is North County Fire District which utilizes a central training facility at a fire station location.

2. Do you have facilities for training on each site? Is so, what type? If not, do you plan to add training facilities in the future?

a. Most stations have a training library and at a minimum a TV/DVD and high speed internet service for on-line training. For many of the departments the physical facilities at each station vary based on the nature of the site, although most thought that basic props for basic fire fighting training drills was a real benefit.

3. What percentage of your training is completed in-services vs. out of service? What percentage would be ideal?

a. Responses ranged from “no data available” to 85% of training is in-service with 95% being the ideal percentage. Central FPD limits out of service training to 12% of the total service time. North County Fire allows no out of service training.

4. What is the cost per company per day to complete out of service training? a. Responses ranged from “varies greatly with the type of company (paid/volunteer and

the time of year effecting station coverage needs” to “$3,000 per company on average.”

5. Do you have a central training center with classroom, training tower and other props? a. Cal Fire Sonoma, Lake County and Napa Unit responded: “in addition to the

California Fire Academy in Ione and the regional training facility center in Magnolia, Sonoma Lake Napa had three primary training facilities. All three have classroom space for at least 30 students and 2 facilities include a fire training ground with vertical ventilation, confined space, vehicle extrication and hydrant operations props. Two have training towers. All responding departments have a central training facility with classrooms and a variety of training props.

6. Do you share a central training center with other departments? a. Each responding department has some type of joint use agreement with adjoining

departments either as the host department or as a contract user of the facility. 7. What is unique about your training needs that drive the type and location of your training

facilities? a. Responses varied from “none” to “the unit training bureau is responsible for the

needs of a variety of contracting agencies with a spectrum of training needs,


October 4, 2010 | 61


standards and expectations. The unit as a whole is comprised of hundreds of local government volunteers, permanent state personnel and seasonal state personnel. Each accesses training facilities designed to accommodate their various needs.” Central FPD (Santa Cruz) has had difficulty finding suitable flat property and the cost of property in that county has made it difficult for the department to meet their strategic planning goal of developing a regionally focused centralized training facility.

Fire Apparatus and Equipment Maintenance

1. What type of apparatus and equipment maintenance does your department complete in house? What services by Contractor?

a. Responses varied from departments that have created an enterprise operation to those that outsource all work. “Central Fire has two state certified master mechanics and a fire mechanic intern, a radio/communications captain and two on-call firefighters that are certified to assist the Fire Mechanic for major tear downs, heavy repairs and installs for new apparatus. We complete all apparatus and equipment repairs in-house except transmissions, major motor works and tire services. Central Fire provides fire apparatus services to 8 neighboring fire agencies. We are also a service warranty point for Pierce, Stephen and HMC and all pre-approved vendor warranty repairs as needed.” Both Ventura County and CalFire Sonoma, Lake and Napa County unit perform 95% of repairs in house. Only North County FPD outsources a majority of the apparatus maintenance and repair work.

2. Does your department have a dedicated maintenance facility? a. All responded yes with the exception of North County Fire Protection District.

3. If so, how many bays does it have and how many full and/or part-time mechanics? a. The average number of bays is three with a comment from two departments that four

would be ideal. Ventura County Fire has a six bay facility and 14 personnel assigned to the equipment and apparatus maintenance and repair operation. They also have a metal fabrication shop and a pump testing facility. The number of master fire mechanics varied from 2-3 full time personnel.

4. How important is the location of the facility relative to the based of operations for the department (headquarters/dispatch)? On the same site? Within 5 minutes of the HQ? Is the adjacency to HQ an operational concern?

a. Responses varied from: “being co-located is not as great a concern as being geographically central to all fire stations”;” The apparatus shop is located within our headquarters fire station, adjacent to our administrative offices. Operationally this system works the best for coordination, security and access to contract fire agencies.”

5. Where do you perform other equipment and apparatus maintenance duties such as tool repair, vehicle cleaning, tire mounting and maintenance requiring welding and fueling?

a. Responses varied from “all of these functions are done at our repair facility” to “most of these functions with the exception of tire mounting and repairs and radio work are done at our facility. It is cheaper than outsourcing”.

6. Where do you store bulldozers and reserve fire fighting fleet? a. Responses included: “all at the fleet site. We store all wildland apparatus and

equipment, tools and warehouse materials at the same location”. “…reserves are distributed throughout the district to the fire stations.” “Dozers are assigned to various stations…our reserves are dispersed to our staffed stations to facilitate daily check-outs and routine maintenance of tools and equipment.”

7. Where do you store other pieces of specialty fire equipment, boats, personal water craft, backhoe graders, etc.?

a. Answers varied from: “…within the fire stations. We try to locate support equipment such as USAR Cache, utility vehicles, fire mechanic vehicles and support utility equipment at our administrative/headquarters facility.” “…at the fleet site.” “Specialized emergency response equipment is stored at various stations.”